Stage Door News
Stage Door News
[Mississauga ON, November 2012] This year marks the 200th anniversary of the cataclysm that set Canada on the long road to nationhood. Yet the tragedies and triumphs of those who stoked the home fires, defended the children and fled the invaders while their menfolk skirmished on the battlefronts have never before been celebrated. Now—from the famous to the nameless, and from all sides of the conflict—they take the stage for the first time in a collectively adapted Theatre Erindale World Première.
Dianne Graves’ extraordinary and beautifully illustrated source book In the Midst of Alarms: the Untold Story of Women in the War of 1812 (first published by Robin Brass Studio in 2007) became a natural bestseller in the run-up to the bicentennial of the war. Widely acclaimed as a distinguished and groundbreaking work, it was re-issued as a paperback this summer. It introduces “dozens of new actors ... rich and poor; white, black, and aboriginal ...”—Holly C. Shulman. Major Helga Grodzinski called it “seminal” and “fascinating.” Graves has also published a biography and a novel and has acted as a consultant to several film and television projects, including the PBS War of 1812.
But a book packed with fascinating facts and documents is not easily transferred to the stage. Adaptation was a tall order and is still an ongoing project, and both director Ralph Small and the student company have brought their full arsenal to bear. The audience can expect a cornucopia of theatricality. There will be songs (both traditional and original), dances and movement sequences, dialogue scenes developed from improvisations and all-night script-writing sessions, monologues adapted from diary entries, and even a puppet show! Historical images using no fewer than four digital projectors (more than ever before in a Theatre Erindale production!) will appear on the floor, on huge stretches of sail and tent canvas, and even on the actors themselves. And, arranged at close quarters on two sides of the performance, the audience will feel fully involved in the excitement.
Sheridan’s Ralph Small is the busy professional actor/director/teacher responsible for such past Theatre Erindale hits as Child of Survivors, String of Pearls, and Jane Eyre. His stellar support team includes Music Director Anthony Bastianon and Guest Costumer Michelle Vanderheyden of Theatre Aquarius.
Patrons are advised to use the CCT Garage on Thursdays, and either Lot 1 or the CCT Garage for other performances. Evening and weekend parking at UTM is $6.50. PLEASE NOTE that, because of the construction underway next door to the Erindale Studio Theatre, until 2014 the path from Lot 1 is two minutes longer than it used to be, and the usual passenger drop-off is blocked.
However, at only $10-$15, single tickets for Theatre Erindale are still the best entertainment bargain in Mississauga! In the Midst of Alarms runs November 15-25, with evening performances Thursday through Saturday, and matinées on Saturdays and Sunday November 25. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at 905-569-4369 or www.theatreerindale.com .
IN THE MIDST OF ALARMS
Adapted by the Company
from the book by Dianne Graves
under the direction of Ralph Small
The untold story of women in the War of 1812 –
A Theatre Erindale World Première
Preview Nov 15; Opening Nov 16; runs Nov 17 and 22-25, 2012
Thurs 7:30; Fri 8:00; Sat 2:00 & 8:00; Sun Nov 25 2:00
$10.00-$15.00
Erindale Studio Theatre
(Mississauga Road 3 lights north of Dundas)
www.theatreerindale.com or 905-569-4369
2012-11-04
Mississauga: Theatre Erindale’s latest play focuses on the lives of women during the War of 1812